Describing people,

places, and things

Conversation: Talking about roommates

E r i c : S o, Michael, whats your new roommate like?
Well, i f you have all day, I’ll describe h im for you. He’s quite the
M ic h a e l :
character.
E r ic : I don’t have all day, dude—but basically—do you get along with him?
M ic h a e l :Actually, yeah—but that’s only because we hardly ever see each
other. The guy sleeps all day. Sometimes he gets up just to go to his
classes, and then he comes back to the room and goes back to bed. Then
he’ll get up at midnight and study all night.
E r ic : Really? You don’t eat together, then?
M ic h a e l : The truth is, I don’t even know when he eats, or where.
E r ic :Then at least he doesn’t leave a m ess in the kitchen.
M ic h a e l : N o ! The guy is incredibly neat. He actually leaves the bathroom
clean every day—and he doesn’t seem to have dirty clothes. He’s like
a ghost.
E r ic : Man, I think you have the perfect roommate!
M ic h a e l : What about yours? What’s he like?
E r i c : Well, he’s the exact opposite o f yours. W e re a lot alike, and we’re
together a lot. I mean, we have two classes together and we’re in the sam e
fraternity, so we’re really good friends.
M ic h a e l : Sounds to m e like you have the ideal room m ate!
E r ic :Well, yes—and no. Mine is a disaster in the house. In the first place,
he always leaves a mess in the kitchen; he doesn’t wash the dishes or take
out the trash. Plus, he throws his clothes all over the place. Not to
mention how he leaves the bathroom . . .
Come on, Eric—he sounds a lot like you. No wonder you get
M ic h a e l :
along so well!
Improving your conversation
So
So has many different uses. In the example conversation, it is used to begin a question that is not
surprising and may have even been expected.
So how much do you want for the car? (You know I’m interested in buying it.)
So when are we leaving? (We both know we are going somewhere together.)

Another use of so is to mean extremely.

I can’t wait to get there. I’m so excited.

To be like
Like asks for a description of a person, place, or thing.
What’s his wife like? Is she nice? Yes, she’s very nice.
What’s your new house like? It’s big, with four bedrooms and three baths.

To be like is also a slang (informal) expression that means to be thinking or telling your
reaction.
She comes home late, and I’m like, “Where have you been?”
He told me I wasn’t studying enough, and I was like, “What do you mean? I study for
three hours every night!”
The teacher told me I failed the math test, and I was like, “Oh man, my mom’s going
to be upset.”

Look like, smell like, and sound like express similarity of appearance, smell, and sound.
Mary looks (just/exactly) like her mother.
This perfume smells like gardenias.
When I talk to you on the phone, you sound like your dad.

These same combinations can also mean seem like, to indicate a guess about what is
happening.
It looks like (it’s going to) rain.
It smells like something’s burning.
It sounds like you’re very upset.

When things are similar, they are said to be, look, smell, or sound alike.
You guys are exactly alike—always getting into trouble.
The twins look alike.
These two roses smell (exactly) alike.
You and your brother don’t sound (at all) alike.

Will
Will—usually in contraction form (’11)—is often used to make an offer to do something.
I’ll go to the store for you.
We’ll wash the dishes.

P ra c tic e M akes P e rfe c t English Conversation

 The same contraction can be used to emphasize that an activity is habitual.
Sometimes when I’m alone I’ll go for a long walk.
In the summer, he’ll stay up late every night playing poker with his friends.

Well
Well indicates that what you plan to say next may need a little explanation.
Did you write this letter? Well, yes, but I was upset at the time, and I
really didn’t mean everything I wrote.
How are you? Well, I’m OK now, but I’ve had a terrible
week.

Dude
Dude is an informal, friendly way of calling a male friend or acquaintance instead of using
his name.
Dude, what time are we leaving tomorrow?

Basically
Basically indicates a summarized or generalized opinion.
What’s your teacher like? Well, basically, he’s the worst
teacher in the whole school.

Actually/the truth is
The terms actually and the truth is indicate that the speaker is telling the truth, even if it is
surprising.
Do you like your new job? Actually, yes—even though I work
nine hours a day.

Another expression that means the same thing is as a matter of fact.

Are you moving? As a matter of fact, I am!

Really
Really? is a way of asking if what was said was the truth.
I’m not going to study tonight. Really? I thought you had a test tomorrow.

Really before an adjective means very.

This movie is really good, but I’m really tired, so I’m going to bed.

Hardly ever
Hardly ever means almost never.
You hardly ever call me anymore. Are you mad at me?

Describing people, places, and things

At least
At least indicates that a situation could be worse.
Ooh, it’s so cold outside today! Well at least it isn’t raining.

What about. . . ?
What about. . . ? is a way to ask the same question about a different topic.
Are you all going to the game? Yeah, Jack and I are going.
What about Joe? No, he can’t go.

I mean
I mean precedes further explanation of the previous information.
She keeps her house really clean. I mean, she dusts and vacuums every day!
Other expressions that introduce further explanation include in other words and that is.
He studies twenty-four-seven. In other words, he’s a serious student.
She’s a real party animal. That is, she goes out every night.

In the first place

In the first place is used to present the first example of why you do or don’t like something.
Second/in the second place or plus can precede the next examples. A final example can be
preceded by not to mention that.
We’re not happy in the suburbs.
In the first place, it takes us almost two hours to get to work.
In the second place, when we get home, we’re exhausted.
Plus, we spend so much on gas.
Not to mention that the kids are in day care for more than ten hours!

Then
Then can introduce a logical conclusion.
I’ve got my tickets, and my bags Then you’re all ready to go.
are packed.

Come on
Come on is a way to say that someone is exaggerating a little bit.
I have to lose twenty pounds. Come on, Alex, you’re not that overweight!

It can also be used to ask for a reconsideration or change of mind.

I’m going to drive home. Come on, dude, you’ve had too
much to drink. Give me your
keys!

P ra c tic e M akes P e rfe c t English Conversation

Wonder
I wonder expresses an unanswered question or doubt. The subject-verb order is different from
that of a question.
Where is Ellie? I wonder where Ellie is.
Is Jon married? I wonder if Jon’s married.

No wonder indicates that something is obvious.

He’s smart, energetic, well educated, and charming. No wonder you like him!

Quite the character

To be quite the character is to be unusual in some way.
She never stops talking but can always Yeah, I hear she’s quite the character,
make you laugh.
He’s really quiet and never talks to He must be quite the character,
anybody, yet the girls all like him.

Fraternity
A fraternity is an established social group of university men, who often live together in a frat
house and mainly exist for social purposes. Fraternities are also known as Greeks, as they use
Greek letters to form their names. Similar organizations exist for women and are called
sororities.

Circle the best answer for each question.

1. W hat are you like?

a. I'm like, what's going on? c. I like chocolate.
b. I'm a little shy. d. It's crazy.

2. W hat do you like?

a. I'm like, w ho are you? c. I like red dresses.
b. I'm always busy. d. I'm crazy.

3. W ho do you look like?

a. I look like my sister. c. I like my sister.
b. It sounds crazy. d. I sing like my father.

4. W hat is your sister like?

a. I like my sister. c. She's tall.
b. She likes to ski. d. She likes me.

5. W hat is her boyfriend like?

a. He likes her. c. He's like, go home!
b. She likes him. d. He's very smart.

Describing people, places, and things